Amanda Hartmann's articles

Overview

AAC and stimming – understanding the role of stimming in communication

Some Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) users repeat the same motions, like pressing the same button over and over on their device. But what does that mean? In this blog, we will further explore stimming and its relationship with AAC.

5 minute read

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Understanding why AAC users repeatedly tap buttons and practical strategies for support

The Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) community often asks for our help with strategies for people who tap buttons on the AAC over and over. What might be the reason for this tapping? What purpose might it serve? And most importantly, what actions should we take or avoid?

5 minute read

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Busting AAC myths for good

There are many things we now know to be true about Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)—both from research and from AAC users’ lived experiences. However, even with the research showing us certain things to be true, certain myths persist in the AAC community.

7 minute read

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To my fellow Speech Pathologists - building collaborative relationship in your AAC teams

Senior Speech Pathologist Amanda Hartmann shares her experience working as an SLP with AAC and tips for working with an AAC team. This article is part of AssistiveWare’s team collaboration series, focusing on how all members of the AAC team can work together.

5 minute read

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7 tips for successful AAC team meetings

AAC works best with a supportive team around the AAC user. In this article, we will cover strategies for having collaborative team meetings. This article is part of AssistiveWare’s team collaboration series, focusing on how all members of the AAC team can work together.

5 minute read

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Problem-solving in AAC teams

AAC works best with a supportive team around the AAC user. But sometimes, members of an AAC team don’t agree. We share the most common reasons AAC teams aren’t on the same page and solutions to work collaboratively. This article is part of AssistiveWare’s team collaboration series, focusing on how all members of the AAC team can work together.

7 minute read

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What is an AAC team?

Learn more about AAC teams, their importance, and how to get everyone on board. This article is part of AssistiveWare’s team collaboration series, focusing on how all members of the AAC team can work together.

4 minute read

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Read and write at home with your AAC user - Make it real! Make it fun!

Everyone can learn to read and write, including your child who uses AAC to communicate. Your child will learn reading and writing from everyone in their life! Literacy is important for communication, independence, self-esteem, and more.

7 minute read

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5 ways you can support AAC users to participate in conversations

AAC users can face some challenges in speaking up in day-to-day conversations. Learn how to support and encourage AAC users to take their turn. With some pre-planning and preparation, they can join the conversation.

4 minute read

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AAC Awareness Month 2021: Presume competence, always

At AssistiveWare, we make Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) apps. Still, there is far more to AAC than downloading an app to an iPad or printing out a communication board and sticking it to the wall. That’s why this AAC Awareness Month, we want to focus on one of the guiding principles of AAC - presuming competence.

2 minute read

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AAC online learning: what we need for success

Remote learning can be a challenge. In this blog, we identify useful tips for AAC users, families and professionals to improve online connections.

5 minute read

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Keep AAC germ free during the coronavirus

Learn about how we can keep our AAC germ-free to reduce the risk of transmission of the coronavirus.

2 minute read

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